Page 276 of Rangers Last Promise

“Then the print probably belongs to the owner.”

“Maybe.”

I look toward the wrecked truck.

“What else?”

Tate’s expression tells me there is something.

“A receipt.”

“For what?”

“Gas. Purchased tonight at a station near Mason Creek.”

“That’s forty miles north.”

“Yes.”

“What time?”

“Less than an hour before Vance called you.”

Doc looks toward the dark hills beyond the pasture.

“He drove south into Eagle River.”

“Looks that way.”

“Then abandoned the truck and sent it back here.”

Tate nods.

“We checked the station cameras. The driver wore a baseball cap and kept his face turned away.”

“But you think it was Vance.”

“He matches the general description.”

“Was he alone?”

“No.”

My pulse changes.

“Who was with him?”

“Another man. Older. He stayed inside a dark SUV while Vance filled the truck.”

“Did you get a plate?”

“Partial.”

Doc looks at Tate.

“What did it come back to?”

“Vehicle registered to a private security company in Virginia.”